MAYOR AND COUNCIL
WORK SESSION AND AGENDA MEETING MINUTES
July 9, 2024 7:00 P.M.
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CALL TO ORDER
SALUTE TO COLORS
Mayor Wronko invited all those present to stand in a salute to the colors.
MAYOR’S STATEMENT AS TO COMPLIANCE WITH P.L. 1975
Adequate Notice of this Meeting has been provided according to the Open Public Meetings Act, Assembly Bill 1030. Notice of this Meeting was included in the Annual Meeting Notice sent to the New Jersey Herald and the Daily Record on January 10, 2024 and was placed on the Official Bulletin Board in the Municipal Building.
In the event the Mayor and Council have not addressed all items on this Agenda by 10:00 PM and they are of the opinion that they cannot complete the Agenda in a reasonable time period, the Mayor and Council may exercise their option to continue this meeting at an agreed to date, time and place. Please turn off all cell phones for the duration of this Meeting.
ROLL CALL
Council Members:
Councilwoman Kuncken – present
Councilman Simpson – present
Councilman Riccardi – present
Councilman Thornton – present
Councilman Romano – present
Councilman Wachterhauser – present
Mayor Wronko – present
ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
Youth Fishing Program – Administrator McNeilly stated a request has been received from the Youth Services Librarian at the E. Louise Childs Library asking for permission to conduct a youth fishing contest at Lake Musconetcong at Lakeside Park on Saturday, August 3rd from 9:30am to 12 noon. The program is being coordinated with the NJDEP Hooked on Fishing Not Drugs Program. Administrator McNeilly asked if there were any objections. The governing body members had no objections and granted approval for the Youth Fishing Program to take place on August 3rd.
McKinley Street – Mayor Wronko asked why McKinley Street was closed off today by a Byram Police Car. Administrator McNeilly stated road striping was being done today.
Storm Brush Pick Up – Administrator McNeilly stated due to the severe weather two weeks ago, and the recent storm which happened this past Thursday, the decision was made to provide a storm brush pick up for the residents for one day only on Tuesday. A Nixle message was sent out and notice was placed on the website and the social media account. This brush pick up was for storm related brush only, not yard cleaning. Some residents placed brush at the curb after the 8:00am requirement and this was not brush from the storm. This brush was not picked up and the next brush collection will not take place until September. Administrator McNeilly stated, in the event that anyone receives complaints about brush pickup, the DPW Superintendent has insured that no one was missed.
WORK SESSION
Correspondence Tracking Program – Mayor Wronko stated he will form a committee to do research in order to find a program that can help track correspondence and facilitate communications. Councilman Romano and Councilwoman Kuncken stated they saw a demonstration a few years ago at the League of Municipalities Conference. Councilman Wronko stated the program should be cost effective and one that can be hosted in the cloud. Having this type of program in place may help eliminate the number of telephone calls and emails in the Administrator’s Office. The governing body agreed this is a good plan.
Staffing/Building Requirements – Mayor Wronko stated the Borough staff is short and several people wear multiple hats. We do our best to keep things within budget. There are demands which arise with things such as the gas line project which place additional stress on the staff. The building also has its restrictions. Mayor Wronko asked Administrator McNeilly, given what the demands are for 2024, to provide information regarding any additional staff and building requirements which would be envisioned within the Borough in order for the governing body to review them. The governing body can then look for solutions to some of the problems. Administrator McNeilly stated he will work on preparing that information.
NEW BUSINESS
Mayor Wronko offered the following ordinance for Introduction and First Reading which was read by title.
Ordinance for Introduction and First Reading [Public Hearing on July 23, 2024]
Ordinance 2024-12 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING A NON-BINDING REFERENDUM BALLOT QUESTION REGARDING PERMITTING CANNABIS RETAIL BUSINESSES IN THE BOROUGH OF STANHOPE
WHEREAS, the Borough of Stanhope, per Borough Code Section 100-52.1, prohibits all classes of cannabis licenses within the Borough of Stanhope; and
WHEREAS, the Borough of Stanhope has received multiple inquiries regarding the establishment of cannabis retail businesses in the Borough; and
WHEREAS, the Borough Council wishes to obtain the non-binding Borough public sentiment as to the allowance of cannabis retail businesses within the Borough; and
WHEREAS, N.J.S.A. 19:37-1 permits governing bodies to ascertain the sentiment of legal voters upon a question by submission of such question to a vote of the electors in the municipality at any election held therein, by adopting at a regular meeting an ordinance or resolution requesting the County Clerk to print upon official ballots to be used at the next ensuing general election a proposition to be formulated and expressed in the Ordinance in concise form; provided the request shall be filed with the County Clerk not later than eighty-one (81) days previous to the election.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Stanhope, as follows:
Section 1. The Mayor and Council does hereby request that the following non-binding referendum question be forwarded to the Sussex County Clerk to be placed on the November 2024 General Election Ballot:
CANNABIS QUESTION REFERENDUM
Shall the Stanhope Borough Committee adopt an Ordinance revising the Stanhope Borough Code, to allow cannabis retail businesses within the Borough of Stanhope?
[ ] Yes
[ ] No
INTERPRETIVE STATEMENT
This referendum seeks non-binding public input as to whether the Borough’s current Cannabis Ordinance, Section 100-52.1, should be revised to allow cannabis businesses.
A Yes vote on referendum question will mean that the voters desire that cannabis retail businesses be permitted within the Borough of Stanhope.
Section 2. The Sussex County Clerk is hereby requested to print the Referendum and Interpretive Statement on the Official Ballot for the next Election held in November 2024.
Section 3. Severability. If any provision of this Ordinance or the application of this Ordinance to any person or circumstances is held invalid, the remainder of this ordinance shall not be affected and shall remain in full force and effect.
Section 4. Repealer. All ordinances or parts of ordinances or resolutions inconsistent or in opposition to the provisions of this Ordinance are hereby repealed in their entirety.
Section 5. Effective date. This Ordinance shall take effect after its final passage and publication as required by law.
On motion by Councilman Romano, seconded by Councilwoman Kuncken and carried by a majority of the following roll call vote, the foregoing ordinance was introduced.
Roll Call:
Councilwoman Kuncken – yes
Councilman Simpson – yes
Councilman Riccardi – yes
Councilman Thornton – yes
Councilman Romano – no
Councilman Wachterhauser – yes
On motion by Councilman Romano, seconded by Councilman Riccardi, and unanimously carried by voice vote, the Mayor and Council instructed the Clerk to post the ordinance and authorized publication of same.
RESOLUTIONS
Mayor Wronko offered the following resolution which was read by title.
PAYMENT OF BILLS
Resolution 133-24 RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE BOROUGH OF STANHOPE AUTHORIZING PAYMENT OF BILLS
WHEREAS, the Chief Finance Officer has certified that funds are available in the proper account; and
WHEREAS, the Chief Finance Officer has approved payment upon certification from the Borough Department Heads that the goods and/or services have been rendered to the Borough;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Stanhope that the current bills list, dated July 9, 2024 and on file and available for public inspection in the Office of the Chief Finance Officer and approved by the Chief Finance Officer for payment, be paid.
On motion by Councilman Romano, seconded by Councilman Thornton and unanimously carried by the following roll call vote the foregoing resolution was duly adopted.
Roll Call:
Councilwoman Kuncken – yes
Councilman Simpson – yes
Councilman Riccardi – yes
Councilman Thornton – yes
Councilman Romano – yes
Councilman Wachterhauser – yes
AGENDA ITEMS
All items listed on the Agenda for July 23, 2024 were approved.
CITIZEN’S TO BE HEARD
Mayor Wronko opened the meeting to the public after advising attendees that there is a five (5) minute time limit for each speaker.
Kathy O’Bitz stated there are trees on the lower end of Planeview Street with hanging limbs and branches are breaking and landing in the road. At the lower end where it is steep, people coming down from Kelly Place are running the stop sign which is obstructed. The trees are located on State property. Administrator McNeilly stated if there is an obstruction on any of the 12 miles of road in the Borough, where the property is owned by a private entity, the Code Enforcement Official can address the issue by contacting the owner and requiring them to correct the problem. The State can be contacted unless there is just one branch that the DPW can quickly take care of. If it is severe overgrowth which is impacting travel, that is an issue the State will have to address. Unfortunately, the State and County often take their time removing obstructions. Administrator McNeilly stated the signs in that area will be removed soon and the trees will be looked at. If the trees require a full manicure that will have to be handled by the State. Ms. O’Bitz asked if the Borough can trim a few of the branches which are a safety issue. Ms. O’Bitz asked why the town is able to manicure the State lot next to her property with the lawnmower. Administrator McNeilly stated he is not aware of that. Administrator McNeilly and Mayor Wronko stated if there are just a few branches it will be taken care of. Ms. O’Bitz also stated at the end of New Street there is a great deal of gravel piled up from when the paving was done. Administrator McNeilly stated the street sweeper will be run through the Borough in the near future.
Ms. O’Bitz asked about the parking ordinance which was originally on tonight’s agenda. Administrator McNeilly stated the ordinance was pulled due to the fact the Borough Code does not reference the no parking signs on New Street. Those signs were to remind people that parking is not allowed within 50 or 75 feet of the top of the “T” intersection. When the large trucks were traveling through this area, the signs were installed to accommodate them. Now that the trucks are no longer an issue, the signs are being removed at the request of the neighbors. Ms. O’Bitz stated, in the past, residents did not park close to the intersection so she does not see that being an issue but she asked for confirmation that parking tickets would not be issued. Administrator McNeilly stated there are no signs and therefore it is not enforceable.
Seeing no one further from the public wishing to speak, Mayor Wronko closed the public portion of the meeting.
CLOSED SESSION
- The general nature of the subject matter(s) to be discussed is as follows:
Contract Negotiation – 1
2. It is anticipated at this time that the above stated subject matter(s) will be made public at the conclusion of each individual specified subject matter.
3. This resolution shall take effect immediately.
On motion by Councilman Romano, seconded by Councilwoman Kuncken, and unanimously carried by voice vote, the foregoing resolution was adopted.
The Mayor and Council went into Closed Session at 7:18 P.M.
RETURN TO OPEN SESSION
At the conclusion of the Closed Session, the Council reconvened the public meeting at 7:33 P.M. with all present.
ADJOURNMENT
On motion by Councilman Riccardi, seconded by Councilman Thornton and unanimously carried by voice vote the meeting was adjourned at 7:34 P.M.
Approved:
Linda Chirip
Deputy Borough Clerk